The Ministry of Environment and the Office of the Attorney General are seeking an extension of time to appeal and to file an interim stay order in the Princes Road Great Han Pte Limited development matter.
The State counsel, Mainavolau Josefa informed the Court that the Environmental Tribunal had approved last year for Great Han to continue development on buildings one and two on level one; however, construction continues around the building.
Josefa says the Director of Environment, Senimili Baleicakau has raised concerns that due to the location, the construction poses a threat to the nearby residents.
The defence counsel Feizal Haniff says there's a jurisdiction issue in the two matters.
High Court Judge, Justice Vishwa Sharma agrees that the question of jurisdiction is an issue and asked the State counsel to show provisions if he can continue with the matter.
Justice Sharma asked both parties to submit their written submission by July 22nd.
The matter is adjourned to the 24th of July.
The Ministry and the Attorney General’s Office want an interim stay of execution of the Environmental Tribunal's ruling to stop the construction altogether until the appeal is heard.
On the 23rd of September, 2024 the Director of Environment Sivendra Michael filed a stop work order to cease all the Great Han residential development works on Princes Road.
Concerns were highlighted by the Tamavua Action Group on the need for proper environmental and geotechnical assessments based on the vulnerabilities of the Tamavua-i-Wai Ridge.
Pictured: Great Han Project along Princes Rd
In light of this information, the Department conducted its own investigation processes and met with the respective parties, to determine whether the uplifting of the stop work order notice was in line with the Department’s position.
It was established that Great Han had not complied with the SCC’s uplift decision, which indicated that Great Han could only proceed if the requirements of the Department of Environment were met as per the Decline decision.
